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Staff Favorites - Illya Haase

Reviews

This was my holiday treat this year! What a treat it was. 2000 Clos Du Marquis, I feel, is drinking beautifully right now. Rustic, earthy with a nice balance of fruit to round it out. Big splash of cedar, cassis and cherry. This is very well integrated but still has some big grip and tannin. I would highly recommend a lamb roast be brought to the table. ​

I have found the new wine for any fancy pants Chablis drinker. Crisp, angular, minerally, steely, with great tension and acidity! All these adjectives are perfect descriptors of this refreshing white wine: Gentilini Robola Cephalonia Greece. I feel like I have to write the whole thing, because it’s going to be the next big white from Greece. This checks all the boxes when it comes to dry white wine drinkers. Awesome freshness and sublime citrus that lingers, with marvelous complexity. Just sit back, close your eyes, take a sip and be transported to the cobalt blue seas of Greece.​ Fancy pants optional. ​

There is something in the water… or in this case, the land. And by something, I mean Northern Rhone Syrah's! They are one of a kind! The Cave de Tain is emblematic of that. First sip is bright, spicy with a burst of wild strawberries. On the palate, it is medium bodied, full of earth, pepper and plums. These are just a few of the flavors and aromas that stand out in the glass. The tannin's are integrated with a wonderful balance of acidity which ends in a elegantly long finish. ​ Why are they so damn good? It has to be something in the water, er, I mean land…

Russel’s Barrel 17-314 was a stand out for me. I am spitting hairs because they are all exceptionally distinct, but 314 had me at the nose: intoxicating wood spice, subtle cinnamon, and charred vanilla bean. The front palate was soft, but had a great complexity, with a pop of caramel, vanilla and toffee. Mid palate opens with a burst of red hot candies, baking spice, and cloves. The finish has a great balance with honey and cinnamon notes that warm you for ages. It’s hot and high in alcohol, but in the best possible way! This will be a great go to on those long winter nights!

Who likes Banana's Foster? Well my friends, it is right here in the amazing, single barrel from Wathens! Dark brown sugar, toffee, walnut, and cinnamon, permeate my glass. One sip drives a penetrating fire of spice, malt and vanilla, with a lingering finish of mint and toasted oak. This is the perfect campfire bottle.

I have found my holiday wine! The La Ferme du Mont "Côtes Capelan" Châteauneuf-du-Pape is outstanding. This wine is ideal for gift giving, holiday gatherings and makes the perfect center piece for that special meal. This is the flagship wine of La Ferme du Mont's vineyards. 90% is vinified in concrete tanks. The remaining 10% is aged in French oak barrels for about 18 months before bottling. With a masterful blend of old vine Grenache, Syrah and Mourverdre. The nose stops you in your tracks with wonderful notes of raspberry, liquorice, baking spices, candied ginger, black fruit and orange peel. I could go on but I will let you come up with your own! The wine is dark and dense in color. In the mouth, the wine is intense, full-bodied, with a beautiful freshness. In a word, it is powerful! The tannins are there, but they are extremely fine and already very silky. But, there is an amazing balance, that makes this wine ready to go today or in 20 years! If anyone in my family is reading this review? You know what I want for the holidays!

I am a big fan of weird and funky wines. This is one of those wines that fits the bill! For me to spend $29.99 for a Rose’, it had better be worth it,
After all, I can get some fantastic K&L Rose’s for under $15.00! What does it mean when I say “worth it to me”? The wine should be one that slows me down, allows me to contemplate what is happening in the glass. From the beginning, it is a mixed bag of red and white grapes: Tempranillo, Albillo, Garnacha and Bobal to be exact. 20 months of oak gives it a bit more weight, and there’s a slightly oxidative tone which leads me to smile. red fruit, orange peel, walnuts, hazelnuts, curry, wood spice and I haven’t taken a sip yet. Razor-sharp focus of citrus, tangy cranberry and wild strawberries add up to a refreshing, super-dry, elegant, but fruitful pink summer wine. This is a serious food wine, my friends, ideal with Spanish cheeses, Mediterranean vegetables, Spanish tapas or the ultimate pairing Morcilla !!!

Orange wine from Greece??? Yes, my friends, this wine is pure pleasure in a glass. Orange color, hence the name. Technically, the color comes from de-stemmed grapes resting in an oak case for 12 days during the fermentation process. Put the glass to your nose and you think you are in for one funky ride. On the contrary, a slight effervescence sparks a balanced sweet cherry fruit tangled with clove spice. The finish is dry with a nice tannic edge, refreshing acidity and bitterness. Great with grilled octopus!

I seem to be reviewing my share of Cally Cabs as of late. I just really love the Napa Cabernet 2013 and 2014 vintages! The Freemark Abbey is no exception. With a deep, dark hue coating the glass, I know I am in for a treat. Nose pops with spiced plum, currants and a touch of oak. But, those black and blue fruits, I find so inviting on the palate! Dark coco, dried herbs and licorice round out the back end. Seamless tannins and acidity make for a long finish, that I just don't want it to end. Lucky we have quite a few bottles but at this price I know it won't last. Don't take my word for it. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle. You won't be disappointed.

Fred Noe, you done did it again! This Knob Creek Rye is something else! The nose is vanilla, cloves and oaky undertones. The flavor immediately coats the entire mouth, with nutmeg and cinnamon giving way to pepper and vanilla on the front with a hint of walnut and allspice across the middle before finishing with that gripping cinnamon spice and that wonderful Knob Creek burn. It's 115 proof, but you would not know it! Super balanced, this warms you up from all the way down!! Get it while you can.

On these cool winter nights there is nothing better than a big Napa Cabernet! Silverado reveals itself with plush notes of black fruit, dried herbs and espresso tasting notes. This is not about overblown fruit. It is big, but balanced with the fruit, oak and tannins, all well integrated. Silky smooth and velvety in texture, the classic Staggs Leap District Cab pervades. The balanced acidity makes for a long finish, with flavors that continue to warm the insides of the heart. Light a fire, open the bottle of Silverado and enjoy the magic that only a Napa Cabernet can bring.

I love big, rich wines. Even been accused of loving a fruit bomb or two. Bonny Doon always delivers. Let me say that this big wine is rather light on its feet. Alluring nose of of violets, black licorice and graphite but the palate is where it really dances. Spicy red fruit and vanilla spice with a slap of acidity and a smooth dry finish. Proper structure and clarity with a balance of fruit and earth. Slow cooked wild boar sliders should be on the menu with this little surprising showstopper.

If you need a party Champagne, look no further.
It is here! Elisabeth Goutorbe Champagne is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and is light, bright and beautifully made.
Citrus fruits jump out of the glass, followed by lovely, freshly-baked biscuit flavors.
This can be served on its own, or with party nibbles.
Amazing with seafood, too.

This is as dry as it gets folks. Zero dosage. Which means outstanding acidity! Perfect for that signature cocktail at your holiday party. Did I mention bone dry and a amazing ability to pair with everything on the holiday menu. Keep a case on hand for all the events on busy holiday calendar.

In 1916 Jules Armand purchased the property located at Valenton St Loubès, a small town 25 km from Bordeaux. A stone's throw from the influence of the two rivers (the Garonne and Dordogne). It's these two rivers that add an early ripening and deeper concentration to the grapes. Great fruit and spice which gives way to a super dry finish. Perfect weekday wine.

One thing I learned in my twenty years of bar tending is. The better the ingredients, the better the drink. So, if you are making a Manhattan or one of those crazy whiskey drinks from your local mixologist. Keep the Carpano on hand. It make's any cocktail, ten thousand times better! You will not find a better vermouth!

So, here it goes. I am German. Sso that would mean I should love German beer, right? The Aecht Schlenkerla "Oak Smoke" from Rauchbier was a little much for me at first. That is until I had it with its proper food: something highly seasoned and fatty, especially pork.

This is well-balanced in the mouth and enhanced by a fresh but subtle finish. It also has tiny little bubbles, which always makes me happy! I love Cabernet Franc for sparkling wine, it has some great body and lovely fruit. For the price, buy a case!

For me, one of the best finds at our recent Champagne tasting! It's off-dry, with beautiful fruit and a nice toasty nose. All this from third generation winemaking family whose holdings consist of 15 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards. The winemaking here is all about elegance and finesse and allowing the terroir to speak for itself and it shows.